Puzzle



UNITED STATES PATENT Trice,

JERRY L. MAIIONEY, OF SI'IELTON, CONNECTICUT.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561,678, dated. June 9, 1896.

Application filed December 23,1895. Serial No. 573,120. (No model.)

To all whom, it 'nz/ry concern:

Be itknown that I, J ERRY L. MAHONEY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Shelton, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the following is a speciiication, reference being` had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to puzzles; and the object thereof is to providea device of this class which is simple in construction and the solution of which is difiicult, but may be accomplished by the exercise of care and skill in the manipulation of the device.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which- Figure l is a plan view of my improved puz zle, and Fig. 2 a side elevation thereof.

In the practice of my invention I provide a base board or plate A, which may be round, octagonal, square, or of any preferred form, and secured to the upper side of the base board or plate A are vertical angular yokes B, which are preferably four in number, and which are also preferably arranged in the form of a square. It will be observed, however, that any preferred number of these yokes may be employed, and the arrangement thereof need not necessarily be in the form of a square. Suspended from the upper crossarms of each yoke and at the center thereof is a cord, iine wire, or similar device C, to the lower end of which is secured a rod or bar D, which is of such length as to extend across the yoke or beyond each side thereof, as shown in the drawings, and in the normal position of the parts, before beginning the solution of the puzzle, thebarsl) are suspended in such manner that they rest outside of the vertical portions or yoke B, as shown in Fig. l. These bars or rods D are free to swing on their sup porting-cords C in any and every direction; and the solution of the puzzle consists in so manipulating` the device as to reverse the position of said rods or bars in such manner that they will be suspended on the inner sides of the yokes B. If desired, however, this operation may be reversed, and the rods or bars D may be suspended on the outer side of the yokes or supports at the beginning of the solution of the puzzle, and in which event the solution will consist in manipulating the device so that they will be suspended at or adjacent to the inner side. This solution is exceedingly difcult, as will be found on an attempt to accomplish the same; but it maybe accomplished by the exercise of care, skill, and patience in the manipulation of the device.

My invention is not limited to the form of the yokes or supports B, or to the number thereof, or to the manner of or means for supporting the rods or bars D, and I therefore reserve the right to make all such changes in and modifications 0f the construction herein described as fairly come within the scope of the invention.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- A puzzle of the character described, composed of a base-board A, secured to the upper sides of which are vertical angular yokes B, arranged in the form of a square suspended from the upper cross-arms of each yoke at the center thereof is a cord C, to the lower end of which is secured a rod or bar, D, the length of which is slightly greater than the width of said yokes, said bar being adapted to be suspended in a vertical position upon the outside of said yokes whereby said bars are to be manipulated so that they will retain the inner sides of said yokes,substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as iny invention I have signed my name, in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 17th day of December, 1895.

JERRY L. MAHONEY. lVitnesses:

J. TOMLINSON, TIMOTHY F. MAHONEY. 

